PDP in UK backs state of emergency

[Punch]

The Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, South-West, United Kingdom, Otunba Kenny Aluko, has said the party in the Diaspora is in support of the declaration of a state of emergency in three states in northern Nigeria.

He also accused a former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, of making inciting statements.

Aluko made the remarks at Green Spring Hotel, Ibadan during a press briefing on the activities of the PDP in the United Kingdom.

He said, "The state of emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan was as a result of incessant killings and violence in some parts of the North. In this case, we are in support of what the President has done.

"Of course, the state of emergency should have been declared in the troubled states long ago. Before now, a lot of people started to hate PDP because of level of insecurity in the country.

"The Diaspora is saying it was the fault of the PDP. But it is the handiwork of the opposition. They were the ones masterminding Boko Haram to frustrate the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. They didn't want him to be President.

"After the convention of APC, Buhari said three months after getting into office, the party would quell Boko Haram. That statement is very heavy.

"I think Buhari should be called to substantiate the statement. As a leader, you cannot be making that kind of statement.

"He was making an inciting statement. If he knows how to stop Boko Haram why didn't he make recommendations? The fact that his party is not in power does not mean he could not give his input."

He urged the people to support those in government rather than engage in unhealthy criticisms, saying, "We are all Nigerians and we should all work for the development of the country.

"It is sad that we are fond of playing politics with the lives of the people, power and development of the country. Only constructive criticism could move the country forward."

Aluko recalled that the late Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, accepted the offer when he was invited to serve as minister under former President Olusegun Obasanjo's government.

He said, "Whereas the Alliance for Democracy was against his decision, Chief Ige said he was not serving the PDP but the people. Nuhu Ribadu did the same thing.

"Inasmuch as our service is in the interest of the country, we should all be working towards its progress."

The Punch